The Steelers held a Christmas Day practice, and TJ Watt was there, although still limited as he returns from a partially collapsed lung. Fellow edge rusher Nick Herbig was also limited by his hamstring injury, cornerback James Pierre by his calf injury, and offensive guard Isaac Seumalo by his triceps injury. Running back Jaylen Warren was a full participant after being slowed by a hip injury on Wednesday.
Safety Jaylen Ramsey was out due to illness, cornerback Brandin Echols was absent due to a groin injury, and wide receiver Calvin Austin III sat out with a hamstring injury.
Wide receiver DK Metcalfe was missing as well due to his two-game NFL suspension for an altercation with a fan last Sunday in Detroit.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers says Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will come up with a good game plan to replace Metcalfe, with Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Adam Thielin, and Roman Wilson getting more chances.
Rodgers has played his best football in the last couple of weeks, and he says it’s no coincidence. He says he loves to play in cold weather.
The Steelers yesterday signed veteran cornerback Tre Flowers to the 53-man roster. He’s played for the Seahawks, Bengals, Falcons, Jaguars, Colts, and the Lions, for whom he appeared in two games this season.
There were three Christmas Day games in the NFL:
- The Vikings forced six turnovers and eliminated the Lions from the NFC playoff race, 23-10. Detroit’s Jared Goff threw two picks and fumbled the ball away three times.
- Dak Prescott threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns as the Cowboys beat the Commanders, 30-23.
- The Broncos handed the Chiefs their fifth straight loss, 20-13
